Japan Food Culture Quest

   Saving the Home of Bonito

VOD for this program is no longer available.

Aired: March 19, 2014


Information

The town of Nakatosa is located in the midwestern part of Kochi Prefecture. It takes pride of its fishing industry that has a 400-year tradition. Known as the “Home of Bonito”, many people visit the town for a taste of first bonito in spring and return bonito in autumn. However, the number of fishing boats in the town has declined to a third compared to around ten years ago.

In response to this crisis, the town placed their hopes and efforts towards their local specialty, bonito. They committed to increasing its value by conceiving a way to keep it in its prime and fresh state for as long as possible. As a result of numerous trials and challenges, the “Pinpi” brand of bonito was born. It boasts excellent quality and freshness like no other. The program documents the people’s initiative in bringing their local specialty to new heights and chart a new future for their town.

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